Saturday 15 April 2017

Like a 1950's Housewife / Seeing Double

Yesterday (Good Friday) the four of us went down to the city in which my sister, brother, and some of their children live. We had a very nice time eating, telling stories of when we were kids, solving some of the world's problems, and trying to get my niece's cat to sit in a square on the floor created with masking tape. (The cat wasn't interested, but my husband stood in it for a while).

Today I spent time doing the usual grocery shopping (however, the stores are crazy busy because yesterday was a holiday and tomorrow is a holiday and everyone, including me was buying what is needed for gatherings this weekend). I will have the four of us, and the kids' respective significant others, and my mother-in-law tomorrow. The menu will be appetizers of raw veggies and ranch dip, cheese and crackers, and a shrimp ring. Dinner will consist of turkey and stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, carrots, broccoli salad, and a new adventure, creamy corn done in the crockpot, as well as rolls or rye bread. Dessert will include lemon squares, pumpkin pie, and something new, which is actually something quite old. Sometimes I like to try to make different food as long as there isn't too much riding on it! I figured this was a safe bet and it's just immediate family, so if it didn't turn out perfectly, people could just eat their Easter treats!

I made my very first pineapple upside down cake!


Ta daaa!!  Please excuse the presentation. I needed something big enough on which to flip it and go from upside down to right side up, so I just used a foil covered baking sheet. My baking sheets look like they have been used, and no I haven't tried the Pinterest suggestion of using hydrogen peroxide and lord knows what to make them shiny and new looking again. But I digress... I was thrilled with how it turned out. It looks very moist and gooey and the pineapple rings with maraschino cherries are so pretty. I felt like I should have on a gingham dress, apron, and kitten heels after making this. Pineapple upside down cake just feels like a 50's dessert, something that baby boomers ate with Sunday supper. I haven't eaten any yet. I'm saving it for tomorrow.

On a whole other note, it would appear that Sampson the cat has a doppelganger, or perhaps a body double. This cat showed up about a week ago and has shown his (her?) face around our property a number of times. Sampson is not overly fond of his mirror image and gives a combination of a low grown / moan when he sees it.


Our cat is the one in the foreground. Doppelganger is perched above him.


For my sake, I hope I can tell the difference late at night when a tabby cat asks to be let in the house. This other cat is not terribly afraid of us.

Tabbies are great cats, I'm just not sure I need two of them.


20 comments:

  1. That pineapple cake looks amazing. Sounds like you're having a fun Easter with your family.

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    1. Thanks, I'm so grateful that my daughter could come home and that everyone will be here today.

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  2. Good golly, the meal you have planned for today sounds elegant, wonderful and tasty. Your "guests" should feel very pampered . . . and lucky!

    Funny you should post about the Pineapple Upside Down cake. I've made one maybe three times in the past 50+ years, but last week had an urge to make one again. Didn't have any pineapple rings (darn) but have put them on my grocery list for this coming week. Yours looks picture perfect . . . right out of a Betty Crocker cookbook!!

    Happy Easter to you . . . and your twinsie cats!!

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    1. The way I made it was SIMPLE. It used a yellow cake mix. I was actually very surprised at how nice it looked.

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  3. HAHA! I always love your posts. So much fun. You have such a great sense of humour. I have a tabby cat and she is indeed great. Very much a lap cat.

    And you know, I've never actually had pineapple upside down cake. Not once. I'll have to give a try at least once in my life just to see what all the fuss is about. Yours looks so delicious. Maybe I'll just drive over to your place and try it :) Happy Easter!

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    1. Thanks, Martha. I love your posts as well. Our tabby is a "sometimes" lap cat. I think he uses us. You're more than welcome to come over. If you start driving now, you'll get here by about supper time!

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  4. Your cat is cloning itself. Be afraid. Be very afraid.

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    1. Remember Dolly the sheep? (first clone)

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    2. My cat has started the cloning process a few years ago now.
      http://bigfouroh.blogspot.ca/2013/07/well-blogging-has-taken-back-seat-this.html
      Coincidentally, your cat/clone cat look very similar to Norbert.

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  5. Wow! Your cake looks fabulous! Good on you for that one. I've never done that and I'm inspired. Your dinner sounds to die for!

    I never heard that hydrogen peroxide trick before. I have boatloads of it because sometimes Lizzie thinks outside the box. I'll have to give it a try.

    And my! Twins! Wonder if they were separated at birth -- literally! I hope no cat fights ensue!

    Happy Easter. I know yours will be lovely!

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    1. Thanks, Jeanie! Our silly cat has been in fights before and has had to endure rounds of antibiotics due to becoming infected. Apparently a cat bite almost always causes that (in cats, anyway). I'm not sure what else you use besides hydrogen peroxide, but Pinterest has tons of those ideas.

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  6. Pineapple upside downs are so pretty no matter how you serve them. I make two cakes in the 8x8 pans and use the CB2 Bento white platter to flip them. https://www.cb2.com/bento-square-platter/s595295 Makes a nice presentation as 2 cakes or 1 to share!-littleblackdomicile.com blogger

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  7. Now that is a meal. At least I didn't go and buy the whole thing already made at the grocery (though was sorely tempted.) Beautiful cake - my father's favorite kind.

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  8. Oh I do love a tabby ... of course this cat lover is going to say, yes you do need two tabbies ... I'll say no more about that. I haven't had upside down cake in years & just last week it was a feature on a baking show & I have craved since - so save me a slice I'll be right over with the tea ... happy week ahead (Mary-Lou)

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  9. Another entertaining post! That cake takes me back a long time!! Hope you all enjoyed it.

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  10. I have not heard the term "kitten heels" for decades! What a wonderful menu! Your pineapple upside down cake is beautiful. It is my mother's favorite and one that I have finally mastered in GF form!

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  11. Cake is picture perfect. Betty Crocker would be envious.

    You know, now you are going to have to invest in a case of Campbell's Cream of _______ Soups and follow up with some '50's recipes!

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  12. Just a grand, grand feast Jenn! I know it must have been a wonderful gathering, And yes....tabbies are precious! You mastered the pineapple upside down cake...stunning and I'll bet delish!

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  13. Well done you on your first flip. I still remember mine. Exciting stuff. Looks yum, too.

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